French Rafale jets vie to replace American F‑35s in Canada and Portugal
The French company Dassault Aviation offers Canada and Portugal Rafale jets as an alternative to American F-35s. We present the performance of these European machines.
The French company Dassault Aviation is ready to offer its Rafale fighters to countries that have halted the purchase of F-35A. As stated in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche by Dassault Aviation’s CEO, Éric Trappier, the company is ready to cooperate with countries that have opted out of the American machines.
The offensive of the French defence industry
Trappier noted that although Portugal has not yet approached France about the purchase, such a request might appear in the coming weeks or months. "But we really want to offer our aircraft to Portugal, an EU and NATO country. It would have the same interoperability capabilities as we do within the Alliance, so it seems logical," he said.
This is part of a broader offensive by the French defence industry, which is responding to the turmoil caused by the current US administration under Donald Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron strongly supports the initiative.
Rafale — Europe's multi-role machine
The Rafale is a multi-role fighter jet produced by Dassault Aviation. It is currently one of the most advanced combat machines in the world, capable of gaining air superiority, attacking land or naval targets, and conducting a nuclear strike.
Work on this aircraft began in the 1980s, with the prototype's first flight in 1986. The fighter entered service in 2001 and is available in three variants: the single-seat Rafale C, the two-seat Rafale B, and the carrier-based Rafale M.
The aircraft is characterised by its ability to carry over 9,000 kilograms of armament. This includes long-range air-to-air Meteor missiles, short/medium-range air-to-air MICA missiles, anti-ship AM39-Exocet missiles, Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, guided bombs AASM Hammer and ASMP-A with thermonuclear warhead.
